Print-washing tank



' V. F. LANGTON AND J. J. UNDERWOOD,

PRINT WASHING TANK.

APPLICATION FILED MAY2. 1919.

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Arm/Mrs UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

VERA F. LANGTON AND JAMES J. UNDERWOOD, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

PRINT-WASHING TAN K.

Application filed May 2, 1919.

T 0 aZZ whom it may concern.

Be it known that we, VERA F. LANGTON, a subject of the King of England, residing in the city, county, and State of New York, and JAMES J. UNDERWOOD, a citizen of the United States, residing in the city, county, and State of New York, have invented'certain new and useful Improvements in Printll' ashing Tanks, of which the following is a specification.

The invention relates to an apparatus for washing and otherwise treating photographic prints and similar objects in large commercial quantities.

In subjecting photographic prints, plates and the like to a washing process for the purpose of removing the hypo and other chemicals or for the purpose of subjecting the same to a chemical bath, it is desirable that the rinsing water pass downwardly across all portions of these prints or plates, so as to drain the chemicals away continuously from all parts of the prints, or to subjoct all portions of the prints to a uniform application of the chemicals forming the treating bath. These treating processes obviously require the use of large amounts of water and chemicals, so that an important desideratum in devices of this character is to provide a simple form of tank for receiving the prints to be washed and so disposing the feed system that there will be provided an economical distribution of the water or other liquids used in the process and in which no more water or liquids are used than is necessary to effect the desired washing or other treatment.

Accordingly, the invention has for its primary object to provide a simple and easily manufactured type of tank coacting with an organization of water or liquid controlling devices so designed that all parts of the prints will be treated to a downwardly moving flow of liquid and in which any desired preset liquid level can be maintained at all times and independent of the rate of flow of the liquid through the tank.

Incidental to this object the invention further contemplates an arrangement of parts in which the liquid level can be readily adjusted and in which the rate of flow of the liquid through the tank during its washing operation may be accurately regulated and controlled.

A further object of the invention is 'to provide asimple form of apparatus which Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 2, 1921.

Serial No. 294,251.

will contribute to and facilitate the mechanical handling of the prints to be washed and which will provide for the ready draining of the chemicals during the squeegeeing and assembling steps of the washing process.

Various other objects and advantages of the invention will be in part obvious from an inspection of the accompanying drawings and in part will be more fully set forth in the following particular description of one form of mechanism embodying. our invention, and the invention also consists in certain new and novel features of construction and combination of parts hereinafter set forth and claimed.

Referring to the accompanying draw- 1ng:-

I Figure l is a vertical sectional view taken longitudinally'through a unit constituting a preferred embodiment of our invention;

Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a top plan View with sections broken away looking down upon the device shown in Fig. 1; and

Fig. 4 is an enlarged detailed view in front elevation of the level controlling gate shown in section in Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 shows the solid form of partitlon 16.

In the following description and in the claims, parts will be identified by specific names for convenience of expression but they are intended to be as generic in their application to similar parts as the art will permit.

In the drawings there is shown a relatively long and deep tank 10, of rectangular box-like design constituting one of a bank of such tanks designed to be locked together one after the other in the nature of interlocked units to form a single rigid and mutually braced construction. The tank includes end walls 11 and 11, a front wall 12 and a rear wall 13. To facilitate the assembling of the tank into a battery opposite ends are provided with some conven tional form of connection such as the present tongue and groove arrangement 14, 14 illustrated. The tank is provided within its outlines with two spaced apart partitions 15 and 16, positioned parallel to each other and to the end wall 11 and coacting to form an inverted U-shaped liquid conducting passageway having an up-take conduit 17 and a liquid falling conduit 18. The portion of the tank between the inner wall 15 and the opposite end of the tank provides a relatively long and deep washing compartment 19 of a size designed to accommodate a print or plate holding frame designed to be inserted bodily therein.

The inner partition 15 is preferably fixed in place and fastened to the sides 12 and 13 by riveted flanges 20. The bottom edge 21 of this plate is spaced from the bottom 22 of the tank so as to form a liquid discharge port 23 at the bottom of the washing compartment 19. The water or treating liquid is fed into the top of the washing compartment through a distributing device 24, from which the liquid flows downwardly past and over the prints held suspended edgewise in the compartment 19 and the liquid passes from the print surface out of the washing compartment through the long shallow port 23.

The partition 15, especially if it is fastened in'place, is preferably so spaced from the end wall 11 that the hand may be inserted into the conduit 17 so as to clear the conduit of any material accumulation therein for the purpose of removing the partition 17 when this partition is mounted for removal.

The intermediate partition 16 is of less height than the partition 15 and its upper side is defined by a straight edge 25 constituting a dam over which the water, which has been discharged from the washing compartment falls in its movement out of the tank. Where a set construction is desired the partition 16 obviously may be fastened in place as is shown in connection with the partition 15, but for the purpose of varying the water level in the washing compartment the partition 16 is removable so that a different depth partition may be substituted in place of the partition illustrated. To hold the partition 16 in a position from which it can be readily removed for substitution, the sides 12 and 13 and the bottom 22 are formed with a continuous pressed channel 26 so as to accommodate the edges of the level forming partition 16 inserted therein. The conduit 18 formed between the partition 16 and the end. wall 11 is provided with an outlet port 27. This port is preferably positioned in the bottom of the tank so as to facilitate the connection with the sewer system and to offer the least pos sible obstacle to the assembling of the tank into its assembled battery of tanks. The port is disposed to discharge into a pipe 28 which may diagrammatically represent the sewer system for receiving the discharge from the tank. A valve 29 may be positioned in thispipe so as to shut off the tank from the sewer system if desired.

In order to drain the washing compartment, a by-pass pipe 30 connects the Wash ing compartment 19 with the pipe 28 which by-pass will normallybe closed by a valve 31.

In order to prevent the liquid from rising in the conduit 18 this conduit and the outlet port 27 are of greater discharging capacity than any possible rate of inflow of the li uid through the distributing device referably' the discharging capacity from the tank is even greater than any possible excessive flow over the dam due to the insertion of the print carrying tray into the full washing compartment. The rate of flow through the distributing device is con trolled by a suitable valve 32 disposed convenient to the operator.

Should it be desired to control the liquid level in the compartment 19, without substituting the plate 16 for one of a different depth, the plate 15 could be made of a depth to insure a maximum desired depth to liquid in thetank 19 and provided at its upper edge with means for varying the dam forming level of the plate. ()ne means for providing this variation is to recess the upper edge of the plate to provide a relatively deep runway 33 the depth of the opening of which is controlled by a. vertically adjustable gate 34 to control the level of the liquid. In the device illustrated the plate is provided with guideways 35 on opposite sides of the runway opening 33. The gate 34 [its between the guideways and held frictionally in any desired adjusted vertical position.

36 to facilitate the vertical adjustment of the same.

In order to provide for a refined regulation of the rate of flow of liquid past the plate 16 the runway 33 is in the form of a deep V in elevation with the angle '37 defining its lowest point.

The liquid feeding device 24: includes a long perforated liquid distributing rose 38. extending lengthwise of the tank. so as to distribute the liquid uniformly across the top of the prints to be washed and preferably this rose is positioned at the liquid. level, established by the plate 15 or by the gate To insure this positioning of liquid discharge the feeding device is preferably made vertically adjustable. In the device illustrated the rose receives the liquid from an inverted U-tube 39, slidably mount ed in a bracket 40 and held in position by a set screw 41. The receiving end of the tube is positioned exteriorly of the tank and connected to the source of supply, preferably by means of a flexible connection 12.

It is usual in washing photographic prints to subject the same to a squeegeeing opera tion for the purpose of removing as much as possible the hypo and other chemicals before the prints are subject to the washing operation. For the purpose of facilitating support of the prints during this squeegeeing The gate is provided with a knob lOU llG

operation and to convey the squeegeed chemicals away from the prints, the tank is provided with a forwardly extending ledge 43 constituting a table upon which the prints can rest. This ledge also constitutes a shelf upon which parts of the print carrying frame may rest during the step of removing the washed prints from the frame. The ledge 43 constitutes a trough and is tilted toward the tank and spaced slightly below the top of the front side 12 to form a liquid collecting gutter 4: 1. The liquid may be drained from the gutter and into the sewer system through a drain pipe 45.

In operation let it be assumed that the prints to be washed have been squeegeed and are assembled in vertical position in the carrying frame and that the framed prints have been inserted in the washing compartment in a manner such as is described in our copending application, Serial No. 38,825, filed July 8, 1915. The valve 32 is opened to an extent just suificient to give the required flow through the washing compartment. The partition 15 is inserted in place to give the required level of water in the compartment 19 so as to cover the prints to be washed, or where a plate provided with the gate regulated level control is used when the gate is adjusted to give this desired level of water. The rose 38 is preferably adjusted by loosening the screw 41 so as to bring the same on a line with this preset liquid level after which the screw is tightened to fasten the port in place. The valve 31 is closed and the valve 29 opened.

The water will then pass from the distributing rose 38 in substantially vertical lines downwardly toward the bottom of the tank, perhaps depositing some of the heavy chemicals, but the liquid will pass up the conduit 17, fall over the dam provided by the plate 16 and pass freely out through the pipe 28. It will be obvious that the water liquid in the washing compartment will rise to the level of the dam provided by the top edge of the plate 16 and by the top edge of the gate 34. Raising or lowering either of these edges will correspondingly vary the liquid level in the washing compartment. WV hen the prints have been washed the earrying frame is lifted preferably by means of a counterbalanced lifting device of any conventional form and held suspended above the tank to drip. The leaves of the frame may then be brought forward to rest on the ledge 43 and the prints are removed for the final drying operation.

Should it be desired to insert a different size set of prints into the tank, the desired regulation is made with reference to the water level forming mechanism and ifdesired the liquid distributing device is raised or lower to meet the conditions imposed by the new liquid level. The distributing rose should be positioned at the liquid level or preferably below the level so as to eliminate noise and splash but it should be positioned sufficiently above the top of the prints to be washed to prevent a direct scouring action of the liquid on the emulsioned surface of theprints and a thorough distribution of the liquid is secured across the entire top of the water bath.

Should it be desired to utilize the device without the continuous discharge of liquid, as when using chemicals for developing purposes, the valve 29 may be closed and the tank filled to any desired level with the liquid chemicals, allowing the plates to remain in the bath as is usual in such photographic operations. 7

Should it be desired to empty the washin compartment or to wash the same, both valves 29 and 31 may be opened and a supply of water run through the tank and directly out through the by-pass 30.

During the squeegeeing operation the prints may be laid on the seat provided by the ledge 43 and the major portion of the chemical squeezed therefrom. The chemicals collected on the ledge are passed through the drain pipe directly into the sewer in this way discharging the major portion of the chemicals with a resulting saving in the amount of water and time necessary to wash the prints when positioned in the washing compartment.

By means of a device of this character, several such tanks may be assembled in a battery and an easy connection is made from each tank to some suitable sewer pipe extending beneath the battery. By suitably adjusting the several valves either a constantly moving and regulated stream is provided to pass over the prints under treatment or a constant level bath may be maintained with either running or stationary water. As there is siphonic action connected with the discharge of liquid from this device, the possibilities of accidentally emptying the tank are avoided. Furthermore ready access is provided to all of the parts, thus facilitating the cleaning of the tank.

vVhile we have shown and described, and

have pointed out in the annexed claims, certain novel features of our invention, it will be understood that various omissions, substitutions and changes. in the form and details of the device illustrated and in its operation may be made by those skilled'in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Having thus described our invention, we claim:

1. A photographic washing tank having an open top, two spaced apart partitions therein dividing the tank into a washing compartment adapted to receive a tray of prints to be washed, and into a refuse water conducting and water level regulating passageway, means for feeding water across the top of the washing compartment, the inner of the two partitions being'spaced from the bottom of the tank to provide an intake to the passageway for drawing the refuse water from the bottom of the washing compartment, the outer of the two partitions having its upper edge horizontally disposed and spaced below the top of the tank and below the top of the inner partition thereby to provide means for maintaining a water level to the water in the washing compartment, and a discharge outlet from the portion of the passageway between the outer partition and the end wall.

2. A photographic washing tank having an open top, two spaced apart partitions disposed therein dividin the tank into washing compartment adapted to receive a tray of prints to be washed, and into a refuse water conducting and water level regulating passageway, confined within the outlines of the tank, means for feeding water across the top of the washing compartment, the inner of the two partitions being spaced from the bottom of the tank to provide an intake to the passageway for drawing the refuse water from the bottom of the washing compartment, the outer of the two partitions having its upper edge horizontally disposed and spaced below the top of the tank and below the top of the inner partition thereby to provide means for maintaining a water level to the waterin the washing compartment, and a discharge outlet from the portion of the passageway between the outer partition and the end wall, said discharge outlet having a discharge capacity greater than the feeding capacity of the feed water means. i

3. A device of the character described, comprising a washing tank adapted to receive a tray of prints to be washed, means for feeding water directly into said tank from above in a stream of a width at least that of the tray of prints, said feeding means being vertically adjustable, and means for discharging the refuse water from a point adjacent the bottom of the tank, whereby a continuous stream of water will. flow-over all of the prints in a downward direction.

'4. Ina device of the class described, the combination with a tank provided with a washing compartment, means for feeding waterthrough said compartment, and a, plate positioned in and removable bodily from said tank and constituting a dam for maintaining a preset liquid level to the water in the washing compartment.

5. In a device of the class described, a boX like open top tank, provided with means at one end thereof for connecting the same to a like tank and thus form a battery of tanks, said tank having a partition therein forforming awashing compartment and liquid level forming passageway, means for feeding water downwardly through said washing compartment, a second partition dis posed in said passageway engaging the bottom of the tank andhaving its upper edge positioned below the top of the first named partition to constitute a dam, over which the water from said washing compartment is discharged and a pipe opening through the bottom of the tank for carrying off the water discharged over said dam forming plate.

6. In a device of the class described, the combination of a tank, provided with a washing compartment, means for feeding washing water across the top of said compartment, said compartment provided with a discharge outlet adjacent the bottom thereof, to cause the water to travel substantially downwardly, said tank also including a water-level forming compartment within its outlines and open at the bottom to receive the dischargefrom the washing compartment, said compartment open at the top to prevent siphonic action and means within the compartment for forming a constant water level to the water in the washing com partment. 1

7. A washing tank provided with a washing compartment and a water level regulating passageway, means for causing water to move downwardly through said washing compartment, an open top dam in said passageway for regulating the level of the water in the washing compartment, said dam comprising means, movable vertically to vary the water level in the washing compartment.

8; A washing tank provided with awash ing compartment and a water levelregulating passageway, means for causing water to move downwardly through said washing compartment, an open top dam in said passageway for regulating the level of the water in the washing compartment, said dam comprising means movable vertically to vary the water level in the washing compartment and means for drawing off from the tank the water discharged over the dam, said means having a discharging capacity greater than any possible flow over the dam thereby to prevent the water level in the washing tank from excessive rising and flooding over the sides of the tank.

9. In a device of the class described, the combination of a tank provided with a washing compartment, means for feeding water.

downwardly through said washing compartment, means for maintaining a preset level to the water in said washing compartment,

said means including a plate constituting a dam over which water from said washing compartment is discharged said plate provided at its upper'edge with a recess and a gate carried by the plate and adjustable vertically to control the level at which water will flow over said plate.

10. In a device of the class described, the combination with a tank provided with a washing compartment, means for feeding water through said compartment, a plate positioned in and removable bodily from said tank and constituting a dam for maintaining a preset liquid level to the water in the washing compartment, said plate provided with means for vertically adjusting the position at which the water flows past the plate thereby to vary the preset liquid level in the washing compartment.

11. In a device of the class described, a tank provided with a washing compartment and a passageway for conducting the liquid discharged from said compartment, a plate positioned in said passageway and adapted to constitute a dam for regulating the liquid level in said washing compartment, said plate provided with a V-shaped recess with its upper edge and a vertically movable gate for regulating the liquid discharge opening provided by the portion of the recess above said gate.

12. In a device of the class described, a tank provided with a partition for forming the tank into a washing compartment and into a liquid level forming passageway, a second partition disposed in said passageway to constitute a dam with level forming edge positioned below the first named partition a piping system disposed below the tank and including a drain pipe for drawing off the liquid from the washing compartment and a second pipe for carrying off the liquid discharged over said dam and valves for controlling the flow through said piping system.

13. In a device of the class described, the combination of a tank provided with a washing compartment, means for causing water to travel downwardly through said compartment, and also provided with a liquid level forming passageway open to said washing compartment adjacent the bottom thereof, a dam positioned in said passageway and engaging the bottom of the tank, a pipe for carrying off the water discharged over said dam and means for draining the combination of a tank provided with a washing compartment, means for maintaining a preset liquid level to the water in said compartment, said means including mechanism for adjusting the water level, a feed water discharge for said compartment, said discharge including a distributing rosc, vertically adjustable in said compartment and a bracket for holding the rose in adjusted position.

16. In a device of the class described, the combination of a tank provided with a washing compartment adapted to receive a rack of prints to be washed, means for discharging washing water downwardly through said compartment, a piping system for carrying oil? the water discharged from the said compartment, a ledge extending forwardly from the tank and adapted to constitute a seat for receiving the rack, and to constitute a surface for receiving the prints during the squeegeeing process and a drain pipe for discharging liquid from said ledge.

17. In a device of the class described, the combination of a tank provided with a washing compartment, adapted to receive a rack of prints to be washed, a ledge eX- tending forwardly from the tank and adapted to constitute a seat for receiving the prints and means for draining the ledge of liquid accumulating thereon from the prints.

Signed at New York city, in the county of New York and State of New York, this 21st day of April, 1918.

VERA F. LANGTON. JAMES J. UNDERWOOD. 

